Save the Manuals: Turbocharged Honda Civic Hatch Starts at $20,535

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If there’s one aspect of the 2016 Honda Civic we dislike, it’s Honda’s decision not to offer a manual transmission with its sweet new 1.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine. Fortunately, that issue goes away with the introduction of the 2017 Honda Civic hatchback.

Starting at $20,535, the base Civic LX hatch includes a standard six-speed manual transmission connected to Honda’s 1.5-liter turbo four-banger that produces 174 horsepower at 5500 rpm and 167 lb-ft of torque at 1800 rpm. Those who prefer to have their car do the shifting for them can add a continuously variable transmission for $800. Doing so results in peak power coming on 500 rpm later and peak torque falling to 162 lb-ft at 1700 rpm. No matter the transmission, though, Civic LX hatch consumers can look forward to enjoying features including automatic climate control , steering-wheel-mounted audio controls, and 26 cubic feet of cargo space behind the car’s 60/40 split-folding rear seat.

While the EPA has yet to release fuel-economy figures for the Civic hatch, Honda estimates the model will achieve 30 mpg city and 39 mpg highway with the manual transmission and 31/40 mpg with the CVT—2 mpg worse on the highway than a 2016 Honda Civic sedan equipped with the turbocharged engine.

Honda also will offer the Civic hatch in EX and EX-L trims. Priced from $23,635, the two higher-end models can only be equipped with the CVT, but add features such as dual-zone automatic climate control, push-button start, and heated front seats. Moving up to the EX-L requires dropping an additional $2500 but brings leather-trimmed seats, a navigation system, and a power-operated driver’s seat.

New to the Civic line are the Sport and Sport Touring models, both of which eke an extra 6 horsepower from Honda’s 1.5-liter turbo four. Starting at $22,135 for a Sport with a six-speed manual transmission, the 180-hp hatchback includes all the toys in the LX as well as center-mounted exhaust outlets, a leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift lever, and an additional 10 lb-ft of torque. As on the LX, a CVT costs an extra $800. Although Honda estimates the manual-transmission Sport will match the fuel-economy figures of the stick-shift-equipped LX, the company predicts fuel efficiency to fall to 30 mpg city and 36 mpg highway on cars equipped with the CVT.

Sadly, those hoping for a Civic hatch that mixes the luxury and convenience features of the EX-L hatch with the Sport’s higher-horsepower engine and standard manual transmission will be disappointed to learn that the top-of-the-line Sport Touring trim is only available with a CVT. Honda has yet to release pricing for this model but notes that the model includes the Sport’s added power and center exhaust outlets with all the items available in the EX-L. On top of this, the Sport Touring also comes with a power passenger seat, heated outboard rear seats, and automatic windshield wipers.

Sure, Honda’s decision to forgo a manual transmission on the loaded Sport Touring irks us a little—after all, why can’t we have a manual transmission and warm tuchuses? Nevertheless, we’re just happy to see the turbocharged engine finally mated to a manual transmission, even if it means our rear ends will go cold over winter.